The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-25
THE sIAMEsE AMAZONS.
A Kings Military Body Guard Composed En-
tirely of Women.

London Letter.
Among the other visitors to the exhibition
this week has been the Prince of Siam. brother
to the King He Is a little man, but has an
olive complexion and black eyes, speaks Eng
lsh perfectly and has charming manners. AS
an pie OF one of the good results OF the
American exhibition, during his visit he made
a most careful inspection of the goods in the
main building and spent thousands of dollars on
all the useful things he saw. which were
up to the present time unknown in Siam.
He gave an order for one hundred type
writers to one manufacturer, large or
der for safes to another, ordered four
dozen carpet sweepers, a steam engine, and a
number of other ingenious things which attracted
his attention, so that these exhibitors have the
satisfaction of knowing that they have opened
market for themselves in Siam, no greater
pense than going to the American exhibition.
The fashion having been set by the prince, large
orders for all these goods he assured them would
follow it would therefore appear that the peo-
pie In bis country, which very few of US stop to
realize, is twice as large in It's France.
and has population of about Is. 600. 900 people.
are all making rapid strides towards modern
civilization.
He gave curious information. how
ever about the Kings amazons the Royal Guard
being composed entirely of women. This bat
talon consists of four hundred women, chosen
among the handsomest and most robust girls in
the country. They receive excellent pay, and
their discipline is perfect They are admitted to
serve at the age of thirteen and are placed in
the army of reserve at the age of twenty-five.
From that period they no longer serve about the
Kings person, but employed to guard the
royal palaces and the crown lands.
On entering the army the amazons make a
VOW of chastity, for which there is exemp
ton unless any of them should attract the
Kings attention and be admitted among his
legitimate wives. The Kings choice seldom
falls on the most beautiful, but on the most
skilled in military exercise. The costume these
women wear is very rich. Their full dress is
composed of a white woollen robe, embroidered
with gold. The cloth Is extremely fneAnd de-
sends as far the knee; it is covered
with light coat of mail and gilt cuirass. The
arms are free, and the head is covered with
gilt casque. When wearing this dress state
occasions their only weapon is a lance, which
they handle with wonderful dexterity. With
their undress they armed with musket
The battalion is composed of four companies
and each company of one hundred women. COM
manded by captain of their own sex. Should
the captain die the company Is drilled during
three days by the King, who appoints the most
competent to succeed 20 the command.
The King Of Siam never undertakes any ex-
petition without being accompanied by his
female guard. nor does he hunt, or even
ride. without an escort of the same guard, who
are devotedly attached TO his person. Every in
dividual of the battalion has five negresses
tached to her service. and having thus domes-
tic occupation, she can devote herself
exclusively to the duties of her profess
where one company is stationed for two days
every week to exercise themselves in
the use of the lance, the pistol and the rife.
The King attends once a month at those exer-
cises accompanied by his brother, who shares
in some degree the sovereign power, and distrib-
utes prizes to those most deserving When the
death of one of the parties ensues the deceased
receives magnificent funeral, and the high
priest pronounces panegyric declaring that the
deceased by her valor has merited eternal rest in
she abode of the blessed. The survivor receives
the congratulations of her companions: but, as a
measure of discipline. she is sentenced to pass
two months away from her company in fasting
and praying. The military organization of this
battalion is so perfect that the entire army en-
deavo-s to initiate it.